[2] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Antigonia in the Antigoniinae, a subfamily of the Caproidae, within the order Caproiformes,[3] as do other authorities.

The specific name, rubescens, means "reddish", Günther did not explain this but it is obviouslt a reference to the redish orange colour of this fish .

[6] Antigonia rubescens has 9 spines and between 27 and 30 soft rays supporting the dorsal fin and 3 spines and between 24 and 28 soft rays supporting the anal fin.

They have a highly compressed, deep rhomboid shaped body, typical of the genus Antigomia.

[1] Antigonia rubescens is found in the Indo-West Pacific from Japan to Australia.